The 2023 Women’s World Cup will take place in Australia and New Zealand. Several teams fancy their chances of lifting the trophy and there are many players who will aiming to finish the tournament as the top goalscorer.
The all-time top scorer in the Women’s World Cup is Brazilian striker, Marta.
A #FIFAWWC icon like no other. 🇧🇷💫@martavieiras10 | @SelecaoFeminina— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) April 13, 2023
A #FIFAWWC icon like no other. 🇧🇷💫@martavieiras10 | @SelecaoFeminina
The 37 year old has been called up to the Brazil squad for the 2023 World Cup and it will be her sixth Women’s World Cup tournament, which is incredible.
Marta has scored a total of 17 goals at the Women’s World Cup and will be eager to add to her tally in what is sure to be her final tournament for her country.
The 2007 Women’s World Cup was Marta’s best in terms of goals and she scored 7 times.
The Orlando Pride forward has scored 115 goals for her country and it is unlikely anyone is going to beat that record.
Marta has won the Golden Boot award once and that came at the 2007 Women’s World Cup.
Birgit Prinz of Germany and Abby Wambach of the United States both have 14 goals at the Women’s World Cup but have retired from football.
Therefore, neither player will be adding to their current goal tally and that means Marta does not have to worry about losing her position at the top of the goal scoring charts.
Prinz won the Golden Boot at the 2003 Women’s World Cup, scoring 7 goals and Wambach claimed the Silver Boot thanks to her 6 goals at the 2007 event in China.
The record for the most goals scored in a single Women’s World Cup is held by Michelle Akers of the United States.
Akers scored 10 goals at the 1991 Women’s World Cup, which was impressive considering the United States played only 6 matches on their way to winning the trophy.
It is worth noting that 5 of the 10 goals came in the quarter final match against Chinese Taipei, with 4 of the goals coming in the first half.
Akers scored both goals in the final against Norway.
The United States dominated the top goalscorers chart at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan both finished on 6 goals, along with England’s Ellen White.
Rapinoe has scored 9 goals in total at the Women’s World Cup and will need to record some impressive figures in 2023 if she is to catch Marta.
Morgan also has 9 goals to her name in total at the Women’s World Cup.
Looking ahead to the 2023 Women’s World Cup and Morgan is the favourite to finish the tournament as top scorer.
Sophia Smith, also of the United States, is expected to score a lot of goals at the event and Sam Kerr, who will be cheered on by the home crowd, should also be among the goals for Australia.
However, it is unlikely anyone is going to catch Marta at the top of the all-time Women’s World Cup goalscorers chart.